Feral black rats eradicated from Barrow Island

It is now believed that feral black rats have been totally eradicated from Barrow Island, off the coast of Dampier.

Environment Minister Bob Pearce said it appeared that a two-year eradication program, undertaken by officers from the Department of Conservation and Land Management, WAPET and volunteers flown specially to the island, had been successful.

"Barrow Island is one of the most significant nature conservation areas in the State, a virtual 'Noah's Ark' of endangered species," Mr Pearce said.

"The island also boasts a healthy colony of endangered golden bandicoot - a species now extinct on the mainland but surviving in isolation on Barrow and Middle Islands.

"However, feral rats are the golden bandicoot's most serious competitor and in order to protect them the eradication program was instigated."

Black rats are believed to have been introduced to nearby Middle and Boodie Islands by pearling luggers earlier this century, but Barrow Island was thought to be free of them until they were discovered on the southern-most part of the island in 1990.

"Baiting work was completed last year and monitoring since then has failed to find any further sign of the rats," Mr Pearce said.

"As a result, CALM, WAPET and the volunteers are now removing bait stations from the island."

Mr Pearce said strict quarantine procedures enforced by WAPET, which operated the Barrow Island oil field, should keep it free from any future infestation.